Eat More Fiber to Live Longer After Heart Attack

Want to increase the odds of living a life after a heart attack? If you eat oatmeal you will. A study has revealed that a diet rich in fibers from whole grains can lower the risk of death from heart disease.

Fiber’s role in heart disease prevention is well known. What is further studies have shown positive results of what it can do after a heart attack if consumed. The study followed men and women for a decade after they got their heart attack and showed that more fiber from cereal grains they ate, the longer they  survived.

Cereal grains include oats, barley, corn, whole wheat, rye, brown rice, and quinoa.

However, most people do not consume the three, one ounce daily servings of whole grains recommended by health agencies.

If you haven’t been consuming the required amount of whole grains, it is important to do so immediately even if you haven’t had a heart attack. Along with fighting heart attack, the whole grain cuts cholesterol, fiber lowers blood sugar and beats some forms of cancer too.

You first step is to look for the “whole” tag on foods you consume, for example “wheat bread is not whole bread” as you can see that “wheat bread is really white bread.”

Simple steps to follow include switching from white pasta to whole-wheat pasta, and from white rice to brown rice, can add up fast. Oatmeal for breakfast, popcorn as a snack and corn on the cob for dinner can easily fulfill the whole grain requirement for the day.

While the researchers focused on cereal grain, doctors have recommended other form of foods such as beans, fruit and vegetables are also good source of fiber, and carry many benefits. “Beans are rich sources of protein, and fruits and vegetables provide additional phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are important for your health.”